AN 11-year-old girl and a woman were shot after a gunman opened fire in a South London park.

Eyewitnesses said the woman - believed to the girl's mum - was shot three times and the schoolgirl was hit in the leg after a row between gangs of teens erupted into gunfire in Mitcham yesterday.

A total of four people were caught in the crossfire after the teen gunman let loose with a 'big' gun.

Although police have described the weapon as a firearm, witnesses say it was actually discharged pellets.

A dad, who did not want to be named, said: "A group of young guys were already in the park when we got there.

"The park has a mini gym, football pitch and so on….so a lot of families were there just enjoying the sun.

“A fight broke out between the guys. One of them ran away and came back with a long gun and started firing.

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
“A lady got shot three times and her daughter got shot in the leg by the pellets.

“We all got down on the ground to not get hit by the shots. It was a big gun but the bullets were pellets.

"He was running around with it. You could see it as he ran past us.”

He said the group then scattered towards Mitcham and Tooting.

The witness tended to the injured woman who was shocked, confused and worried for her daughter, who had been hit in the legs.

He added: “The park was full of people just working out and talking. They were standing next to the gym area. People normally stand and talk as others work out.

“It was a mess, an absolute mess.

“She felt something hit her but didn’t know what it was until we checked it. It was a small wound, but three of them were bleeding.

“They were firing after the other guys. They did not care about people there.”

All four victims were taken to hospital, but none of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening.

There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.

A stop and search order is in place in Merton until 6.55am today.

One Twitter user said their family members were at the scene and were "shaken up".

They tweeted: "Couple of youths were firing gunshot bb pellets, couple of people got shot. My brother and mum were there. My brother is shaken up."

A statment from the Metropolitan police said: "Officers are in the area of Figges Marsh, Mitcham following an incident today, Sunday, 24 March.

"At 17.40hrs, police received reports that a firearm had been discharged.

"A woman and an 11-year-old child were treated by LAS for injuries believed to have been caused by a firearm. They have been taken to hospital.

"A large group of males had been seen in the road prior to the firearm being discharged and enquiries are ongoing to locate these individuals.

"It is believed that two further people – who subsequently self-presented at a nearby hospital – were injured during the incident.

"Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and quote CAD5607/24March